Career
She is best recognized for her involvement in the bands, and Flash to Bang Time. She is the younger sister of R.E.M."s lead singer Michael Stipe. Along with vocalist Linda Hopper and drummer David Pierce, the group performed several songs live at the 40 Watt Club.
The songs written for that performance would be recorded in the studio for "s first single.
The band produced one single and an album before parting ways in 1984. Stipe later formed with boyfriend and fellow musician Jay Totty in 1988, with her serving as lead vocalist and bass guitarist.
In 1988, they recorded the European Parliament Make Djibouti with several friends. lieutenant was issued through Texas Hotel and was produced by Michael Stipe.
Afterward, Stipe and Totty opted to continue recording as a duo.
"s debut album Swollen was released in 1990 and marked a musical departure from the band"s previous recordings. Produced by Hahn Rowe and Tim Sommer of Hugo Largo, the music drew inspiration from gothic rock, dream popular and British folk music Stipe has noted that the album better represented her writing abilities and contained arrangements that were better realized.
A new record was in development but Stipe and Totty broke off their relationship, effectively ending the group in 1991.
